Unprecedented April Heatwave Threatens to Shatter Records Across Eastern US
An intense and prolonged heatwave is poised to blast hot air across the eastern United States, with the unusual weather pattern threatening to shatter record-high temperatures in major cities including New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. On Tuesday, people enjoyed the afternoon at Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City as temperatures reached the mid-80s, but forecasters warn of even hotter conditions ahead.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Forecast
In the nation's capital, forecasters are calling for a high temperature of 93F (33.9C) late Wednesday afternoon and another high of 93F on Thursday. The National Weather Service projects a high temperature around 86F for Central Park in New York City on Wednesday, with the record high for the date being 87F, which has stood since 1941. Even hotter weather is expected in Philadelphia, where Wednesday's high is anticipated to be 92F, and Washington DC could see a high of 94F. Atlanta is also a hotspot, with a projected high of 88F.
John Feerick, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.com, stated, "That's borderline unprecedented as far as the duration of it this time of year." He added that starting Wednesday, records will be challenged from Georgia all the way up through the New York City area and back towards the Ohio valley.
Unusual Heat for April
The heat is unusual for April, not only because it is scorching much of the nation so early in the year but also for its duration. The near-record temperatures are expected to last into this weekend. While it is not unprecedented to see temperatures climb toward 90F (32C) on an April day, such a long April heatwave is rarely seen. Feerick noted, "It's really some very impressive heat for the middle of April, for sure."
On the Jersey shore, hundreds of people took advantage of the gorgeous spring day Wednesday to stroll along boardwalks. Temperatures soared into the 80s in some inland areas but were about 15 degrees cooler along the water, with a slight breeze. New Yorker Javier Estrada, 19, said while taking a break from a beach football game in Seaside Park, New Jersey, "After all the nasty cold and snow we had to deal with this winter, this is our payback."
Health Risks and Weather Patterns
However, the early season heat can be more stressful on people's bodies since they have not had a chance to acclimate. Feerick explained, "It's kind of one of those things where it's a little more stressful to the body because you're not used to it the first time around." Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the US, with infants, young children, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women especially vulnerable.
A strong ridge of high pressure fuelling moisture into the southern Plains is responsible for bringing the unusual heat to the eastern US. The potentially dangerous heat comes after severe storms tore through Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on Monday and Tuesday. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, pieces of the roof of Yost Ice Arena, one of the nation's oldest college hockey arenas, were found scattered by a storm Wednesday in nearby yards, with both that arena and a city ice rink damaged by severe weather.
Duration and Relief Ahead
Though Wednesday is a day when many records could fall, the heatwave will continue through Friday in many areas. The Weather Prediction Center wrote in a memo, "Widespread lower to even middle 90s are expected Friday across the lower elevations of the Carolinas, which could set additional daily records and perhaps come close to some monthly records." The heatwave should finally be breaking down by Sunday as a strong cold front moves toward the eastern seaboard, leading to "pleasantly cooler" conditions by Monday.
Feerick added that the humidity is not at summertime levels, meaning it won't feel as hot as a sizzling July day, but the unprecedented duration and intensity of this April heatwave remain a significant concern for residents and authorities alike.
